A coepoeation



April 8, 1930. R; J. MUCH 1,753,889 v BULLDOZER FOR CHASSIS FRAMES FiledMarch 10, 1927' W INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ROBERT J'. JAUGH, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THEUTILITY STRATE MFG. 00., 013 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, A CORPORATIONBULLDOZER FOR CHASSIS FRAMES Application filed March 10, 1927. SerialNo. 174,158.

This invention. relates to improvements in bulldozers, es eciallyadapted for stralghtening demolis ed chassis frames. The object of theinvention is the provision of an apparatus that may be readily appliedto the chassis frame of an automobile without complete removal of thebody or engine portions of the automobile so that the bent frame may bestraightened to its original shape expeditiously. Another object is toconstruct the appliance that it may be applied to a bent chassis frameand manipulated so as to force the bent portion of. the frame eitheroutwardly or inwarldy to its original shape as may be required.

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an appliance embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 isa cross sectional view of Fig. 1 on the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation projected from Fig. 2 showing. the crosshead portion thereof; V

Fig. 5 is a detail view ofone of the members of the cross-head shown inFig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the other member of said cross-head.

The characters appearing in the descriptionrefer to parts shown in thedrawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters;

1 having a central transverse boss 2 through which extends a jack-screw3 and in which the screw has threaded relation. On the eX-j tending endof the jack-screw is swiveled a cross-head 4 having thereon oppositelydisposed hook members 5 that are adjustable relative thereto andremovable therefrom, each hook'being provided with a set-screw 6 forholding it in adjusted positions'on the cross-head.

In connection'with the beam 1, upon either side of the jack-screw, isadjustably positioned a cross-head 7, there being a shank 8 extendingfrom the cross-head into the chan 0 7 ml beam and a removable pin 9projecting .The invention consists of a channel beam through the channelbeam and said shank for securing the shank in place. The beam 1 hasspaced pin holes 10 made therein so that the shanks may be positionedadjustably relative to the beam.

Each cross head 7 has mounted in connection therewith a clamp-plate 11that is provided at each of its ends with'a tongue 12 that extends intoa groove 13 in the corresponding end of the cross-head 7. A stud 14projects centrally from the cross-head into an opening 15 in theclamp-plate, and also lugs 16 on the clamp-plate project into a groove17 in the cross-head, so that the clampplate and cross-head are held inalinement with each other. Adjacent each end of the cross-head and ofthe clamp-plate is provided a stud 18 that projects intothecorresponding end of an expansion spring 19 which springsarepositioned between the cross-head and clamp-plate and tend to holdthe cross-head and plate apart. The cross head and the plate are shapedso that a space 20 is made between each of their end portions,

and the corresponding inner faces of the cross-head and plate have madetherein nu merous vertically disposed grooves or serrations 2122. Ineach end portion of the cross-head 7 and its plate 11 are verticallydisposed slots 23, and positioned in the spaces 20 between thecross-head and plate are cor-' responding grapple members 24, each ofwhich has made therein a horizontally disposed slot 25, there being abolt 26 for each grapple member that extends through its slot andthrough the slots in the cross-head and its plate. Each side of thatportion or" the grapple hook that extends between the cross-head andplate has made therein vertically disposed serrations 21 that interlockwith the corresponding serrations in the cross-head and plate so thatwhen the bolts 26 are tightened the grapple members are firmly clampedbetween the cross-head and plate and held from turning.

In utilizing the invention, when the channel 27 of the chassis frame isto be bent outwardly,the grapple members 24 are dispensed with and thehook members 5 are adjustably positioned on the cross-head 4 and intoengagement respectively with the top and bottom flanges 28 and 29 of thechannel. The members constituted of the cross-heads T and their plates11 are adjusted against the outer face of the channel 27 and thejack-screw is then manipulated so that it moves outwardly in the beam 1.In this maner force is applied to the channel outwardly through themedium of the cross-head 1 and hook members 5 against resisting force ofthe other crossheads against which the channel bears.

lVhen the channel is to be bent inwardly, the hook members 5 aredispensed with, and the grapple members are applied to the chan nel sothat the flanges thereof are engaged thereby as in the former instancewith respect to the hook members, and the cross-head 4: is adjustedagainst the outer face of the channel. The jack-screw is thenmanipulated so that it moves inwardly in the beam 1. In this mannerforce is applied to the channel inwardly through the medium of thecross-head 4 against resisting force of the grapple members 24.

In performing the operation of bending the channel outwardly, themembers 7 may be dispensed with by removing the pins 9 that connecttheir shanks with the beam, and in their stead ordinary blocks (notshown) of suitable size, may be positioned between the beam 1 and thechannel.

By this construction the operation of straightening the bent channel inthe chassis frame of an automobile may readily be performed without thenecessity of removing completely the body and other parts of theautomobile from the channel as it is only necessary to loosen and raisethe body from the channel sufliciently to admit of placing the hookmembers and grapple members in connection with the channel.

A feature of the invention is that the grapple members 24 areindependently adjustable relative to each other in their cross-head, andwhen the securing bolts 26 are tightened are firmly held from turning inthe crosshead. The slots in the grapple members and the slots 23 in thecross-head admit of the grapple members being adjustably spaced fromeach other as well as adj ustably extended so as to project from thecross-head independent of each other the required distance to engage thecorresponding flange of the chassis frame channel. This is essential,especially when the upper flange and. the lower flange of the channeldiffer in breadth. It is desirable in applying the grapple members andthe cross-head 7 to the channel frame that rigidity is establishedbetween the crosshead and the grapple members so that unintendedpressure or strain is not applied to the channel when force is exertedas when twisting the channel to straighten it, which may be accomplishedby applying the cross-heads 7 and their grapple members to the channelindependently of the other parts of the ap' pliance. Thus, one of thecross-heads and its grapple members fitted to the channel at one placemay be utilized to sustain the channel, while the other cross-head andits grapple members may be applied to the channel at a point spaced fromthe former cross-head and manipulated so as to twist the bent channel toits normal state. By snugly fitting the grapple members and theircross-heads to the channel, the tendency of the flanges to become kinkedduring the straightening operation is greatly lessened.

What I claim is 1. In a bulldozer for straightening daniaged chassisframes, a recessed beam having a central boss, and spaced pin holes ineach end portion; a jack-screw extending through said boss and havingthreaded relation therewith a cross-head on the proj ecting end of thejackscrew and having swivel relation therewith;

pair of hook members removably and adjustably mounted on saidcross-head, one on each end portion thereof; a pair of adjustablecross-heads, one in adjustable connection with each end portion of saidbeam; and a pair of grapple members adjustably mounted in each of saidadjustable cross-heads, one in each end portion thereof, there beingclamping means provided to prevent turning of the grapple members intheir respective crossheads.

2. In a bulldozer for straightening damaged chassis frames, a beam; aack-screw extending through said beam and having threaded relationtherewith; a cross-head on the projecting end of the j ack-screw andhaving swivel relation therewith; a pair of hooked members adjustablymounted on said crosshead; a pair of crosshea (1 members adj ustably andremovably positioned in connection with said beam; and a pair of grapplemembers adjustably secured in each of said cross-head members.

3. In a bulldozer for straightening damaged chassis frames, a beam; a jack-screw extending through said beam and having threaded relationtherewith; a cross-head on the projecting end of the j ack-screw andhaving swivel relation therewith; a pair of hooked members adjustablymounted on said crosshead; and a pair of members adjustably andremovably positioned in connection with said beam, one on each endportion thereof, each comprising a depending supporting member to whichis attached a bar substantially midway of its length.

4;. In a bulldozer for straightening damaged chassis frames, a beam; ajack-screw threaded in said beam; a swiveled cross-head. on theprojecting end of the jack-screw; a pair of hooks adjustably connectedto said cross-hcad and facing each other for engag ing the channel ofthe chassis frame; and a member applicable between each end portion ofthe beam and said channel whereby the channel is sustained atcorresponding parts thereof when the intermediate portion of the channelengaged by said hooks is drawn outwardly by the action of thejack-screw.

5. In a bulldozer mechanism, a cross-head member having a pair oflongitudinal slots, one in each end portion thereof; a clamping platealined with said member having interlocking relation therewith, therebeing a space between each end portion of the crosshead and thecorresponding end portion of the clamping plate and longitudinal slotsin the clamping plate alined with the corresponding slot in thecross-head, the inner faces of the cross-head and clamping plate havinglongitudinally disposed serrations; expansion means disposed between thecrosshead and plate; a pair of grapple members extending in thecorresponding spaces and having serrations formed on each side thereofso as to interlock with the serrations on the cross-head and plate, eachgrapple member having an elongated slot therein; and a bolt for eachgrapple member extending through the corresponding slots in thecross-head, clamping plate and grapple member whereby said grapplemembers are adjusted and locked between the cross-head and plate.

6. In a bulldozer mechanism, a cross-head member having a pair oflongitudinal slots, one in each end portion thereof; a clamping platealined with said member having interlocking relation therewith, therebeing a space between each end portion of the crosshead and thecorresponding end portion of the clamping plate and longitudinal slotsin the clamping plate alined with the corresponding slot in thecross-head, the inner faces of the cross-head and clamping plate havinglongitudinally disposed serrations; a pair of grapple members extendingin the corresponding spaces and having serrations formed on each sidethereof so as to interlock with the serrations on the cross-head andplate, each grapple member having an elongated slot therein; and a boltfor each grapple member extending through the corresponding slots in thecross-head, clamping plate and grapple member whereby said grapplemembers are adjusted and locked between the cross-head and plate.

7. In a device of the class described, a member comprising an elongatedcross-head having serrations and elongated longitudinally disposedslots, and a pair of grapple members, each having serrations that haveinterlocking relation with the serrations ofthe cross-head, and anelongated slot extending in a plane at right angles to the correspondingslot in the cross-head, and a securing bolt for each grapple memberextending through the corresponding slots in the crosshead and grapplemember.

8. In combination with a bulldozer for straightening damaged chassisframes, means for securely gripping and holding such frames, comprisinga cross-head, a pair of gripping members adjustably secured to thecross-head substantially at right angles thereto, a hook on each of saidmembers, said hooks facing each other, means for adjusting each of saidmembers independently in relation to the other, and means for adjustingeach of said members independently to locate the hook closer or fartherfrom the cross-head.

9. A frame straightener comprising a barlike main frame a centralengaging head and end engaging heads mounted thereon, said centralengaging head being extensible and retractible and including a pressurebar having hook arms longitudinally slidable thereon and said endengaging heads including pressure bars having hook arms longitudinallyslidable with respect thereto and extensible relative to the lastmentioned pressure bars.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

ROBERT J. JAUCH.

